Midtown is a district in Toronto. It is roughly defined as bounded by Bloor Street to the south, Lawrence Avenue to the north, Oakwood Avenue to the west and Bayview Avenue to the east. The intersection of Yonge and Eglinton is the heart of Midtown.

Contents

Understand

Midtown isn't an area with a large number of museums, theatres, or other tourist attractions. The best way to enjoy it is to pretend that you live there, and enjoy the shops, restaurants, and cafes that the area has.

Get in

Taking the Yonge Subway Line to St. Clair, Davisville, Eglinton, or Lawrence station will put you in Midtown Toronto.

Alexander Muir Memorial Gardens, east side of Yonge Street, just south of Lawrence Avenue (Subway: Lawrence), +1 416 392-8188. Nice rose gardens. The gardens provide access to the Blythwood Ravine and Sherwood Park, which are forested areas with trails that are good for running or a leisurely walk.

Mount Pleasant Cemetery, 375 Mount Pleasant Road (Subway: Davisville), +1 416 485-9129. The cemetery has miles of walking paths and is the resting place of many famous people, including former prime minister William Lyon Mackenzie King, pianist Glenn Gould, the co-discoverers of insulin Frederick Banting and Charles Best, and Timothy Eaton.

Do

Take this self-guided Discovery Walk through the area's parks, the Don Valley Ravines and Mt Pleasant Cemetery (PDF map). This walk is 11km long and takes about 3 hours to complete. You can just do a portion of the walk if you prefer. There will be signs along the way to indicate that you're on the Discovery Walk route. For safety in the ravines, take a friend with you.

Buy

Yonge St. from Eglinton to Briar Hill Avenue has large retailers as well as luxurious jewelry shops.

Mt. Pleasant south of Eglinton has a number of interesting craft shops.

Bayview Avenue south of Eglinton forms its own little village with distinct cafes and hobby shops.

The Yonge-Eglinton Centre, 2300 Yonge Street (at Eglinton Ave, above Eglinton subway station), +1 416 489-2300, [2], is the most conveniently located mall, though it's best for essentials - there is a Dominion grocery store (open 24/7), a dry cleaner, a pharmacy/drugstore, and an LCBO liquor store.

Eat

There are a lot of restaurant choices in Midtown, ranging from some of Toronto's best (and priciest) restaurants to neighbourhood establishments. Midtown also has some of the best pastry shops in the city.

Drink

Scallywags, just west of Yonge Street on St. Clair. A vibrant pub with an excellent and heated patio.

Fox and the Fiddle, Yonge Street and Heath Street. Has extensive patios.

Yonge and Eglinton:

The Duke of Kent, Yonge Street at Roehampton Ave (one block north of Eglinton). A traditional British pub favoured by many expatriates. Excellent food and a small patio.

6 Degrees, Yonge Street, just north of Roehampton Ave. A newer nightclub. Similar to Clubland venues but with a Midtown feel. Only worthwhile (and open) on weekend evenings. A good feel for downtown clubs without all the fuss.

Mystique Lounge, Yonge Street, south of Eglinton at Manor Road. Midtown's only strip club. Not a bad time.

Sleep

To say that there are very few accommodation options in the area would be an understatement. It's better to choose a downtown hotel and travel to midtown.